Safety lawn mower

ABSTRACT

A lawn mower including a part of a housing for capturing solid particles thrown by action of the cutting blade. In one embodiment, the part of the housing comprises a penetrable liner extending adjacent to the path of the tip of the cutting blade and cooperating with the housing to form a series of pockets for receiving solid articles which penetrate the wall of the liner. In another embodiment, one or more pads of cellular material are carried by the housing in position to be struck by objects thrown by action of the cutting blade. Upon striking of the cellular material, the objects become imbedded, to thereby remove them from the whirling mass of material within the blade housing. In accordance with the third embodiment, a trap door and a trap are provided whereby solid objects are permitted to pass out of the circular area of the path of travel of the blade, but are intercepted within a trap formed inside of the blade housing.

United States Patent Dahl [ Mar. 7, 1972 [54] SAFETY LAWN MOWER [72]lnventor: Einar S. Dahl, Galesburg, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation, Waukegan,lll.

[22] Filed: Nov. 21, 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 878,865

[52] U.S.Cl. ..56/320.l,56/320.2

[51] Int.Cl. ..A0ld35/26 [58] FieldoiSeai-ch ..56/25.4,255,320.1,320.2;273/DlG.8

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,659,191 11/1953 Milleretal..56/255X 2,737,003 3/1956 Beers Primary Examiner-Louis G. ManceneAssistant Examiner-J. A. Oliff Attorney-John W. Michael, Gerrit D.Foster, Bayard H. Michael, Robert K. Gerling, Paul R. Puemer, Joseph A.Gemignani, Andrew 0. Riteris and Spencer B. Michael [5 7] ABSTRACT Alawn mower including a part of a housing for capturing solid particlesthrown by action of the cutting blade' In one embodiment, the part ofthe housing comprises a penetrable liner extending adjacent to the pathof the tip of the cutting blade and cooperating with the housing to forma series of pockets for receiving solid articles which penetrate thewall of the liner. In another embodiment, one or more pads of cellularmaterial are carried by the housing in position to be struck by objectsthrown by action of the cutting blade. Upon striking of the cellularmaterial, the objects become imbedded, to thereby remove them from thewhirling mass of material within the blade housing. In accordance withthe third embodiment, a trap door and a trap are provided whereby solidobjects are permitted to pass out of the circular area of the path oftravel of the blade, but are intercepted within a trap formed inside ofthe blade housing.

22 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The inventionrelates to rotary lawn mowers and particularly to chuteless lawn mowerssuch as are shown for instance, in the United States patent applicationSer. No. 788,803 filed on Jan. 3, I969, by Earl I-I. Kidd, entitledChuteless Lawn Mower Housing assigned to the assignee of thisapplication.

The invention also relates to lawn mower safety and to arrangements fortrapping or deflecting solid particles such as stones and twigs.Examples of prior arrangements are shown in the lrgens US. Pat. No.3,420,041 and the I-Ieidner U.S. Pat. No. 3,453,812.

The invention also relates to lawn mower housings which are usable in afirst arrangement with a chute or in a second arrangement in a chutelessmanner in which there is a more or less continuous peripheral verticalwall about the path of the outer end of the cutter blade.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a rotary lawn mowerwhich is operable without a chute and which is arranged to cause removalof solid particles, such as twigs and stones, from the flowing stream ofgrass-clipping-laden air within the blade housing. Several arrangementsor traps are provided. In one instance, a lawn mower is provided withone or more pads or liners which are located along the inside verticalwall of the blade housing. The liners can extendcompletely around thepath of the cutter blade, but can be most effectively used in the areabetween approximately l:30 oclock and :00 oclock (when viewed from abovewith a clockwise rotating cutter blade and with 12:00 oclock being atthe forward center of the blade housing). The liners or pads can beconstructed to cooperate with the housing to provide voids or cavitiesto receive solid articles puncturing the liner or can be, in part, offoamed or cellular plastic material so that upon striking thereof bysolid particles, such particles penetrate and become imbeded in thepads, as will be described in the following general description.

When using cellular plastic material, at least one wall of the pad,i.e., the wall adjacent to the path of the cutter blade travel, ispreferably sealed against the entry of grit and moisture so as toprevent the pad from absorbing grit and moisture and becoming solid,i.e., as compared to cellular. In this regard, a thin plastic filmmaterial is united to one wall of the cellular pad material to excludemoisture and grit and to provide what is, in effect, an operating wallof the blade housing when the pads are properly located.

The liners or pads can be applied to the interior of the blade housingin various manners, as for instance, by insertion into pockets providedfor such purposes or by the use of rivets or bolts for attaching suchliners or pads in proper location to the blade housing.

Another aspect of the invention resides in the provision of a trap dooralong the periphery of a rotary mower blade housing and particularly atthe rear thereof, which trap door, upon striking by a solid particle,will permit exiting of the solid particle into a blade-housing portionwhich causes such exiting solid particles to be deflected downwardlytoward the ground in such manner so as to prevent dangerous tangentialescape.

Once principal object of the invention is to provide a chuteless mowerwhich is reliable in operation and economical to construct and whichwill effectively capture solid particles, such as stones and twigs, toprevent dangerous escape of such particles from the lawn mower duringoperation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pad or liner which maybe employed in a lawn mower of the type described in the precedingparagraph and which will afford penetration and capture or imbedingtherein of solid particles incident to travel of such particles within ablade housing.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a liner orpad, such as referred to in the preceding paragraph, which isconstructed of cellular material and is sealed along one surface toprevent entry of moisture and dirt into the pad through said onesurface. Such sealing can be thin film of rupterable plastic material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotary lawn mowerincluding a trap door which permits exiting of solid particles fromwithin the circular confines of the area in which the cutter bladerotates and into a blade housing portion which is designed to cause suchexiting particles to be deflected downwardly toward the ground andthereby prevent dangerous escape of such particles.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become known from thefollowing description and accompanying drawings in which:

in the form of a DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a lawn mowerembodying various of the features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view of the lawn mower shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the lawn mower shown in FIG. 1with a cover attached thereto.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 55 ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the mower shown in FIG.4.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the lawn mower shown in FIG. 1 with anattached chute.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 8-8 ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the lawn mower shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of another lawn mower incorporating anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 illustrating still anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 10 illustrating still anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the lawn mower fragmentarily shown in FIG.10.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary view of still another embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section of still anotherembodiment of the invention.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings is a chuteless lawnmower 11 which, except as specifically described herein, is constructedin general accordance with the before-mentioned US. Pat. applicationSer. No. 788,803 entitled Chuteless Lawn Mower Housing and filed on Jan.3, 1969, by Earl I-I. Kidd.

Chuteless blade housings in accordance with the invention can have amore or less flat deck or top or can be formed with a radial sectionhaving a downwardly concave upper and radially outer wall in the area ofthe path of the outer edge of the cutter blade.

More specifically, the lawn mower 11, shown in FIG. 1, comprises ahousing 13 which includes a top wall or deck 15 having a main portion 17and a generally continuous peripheral wall 19 depending from the deckmain portion immediately radially outwardly of the path of a rotatablecutter blade 21 which is conventionally supported for rotation withinthe blade housing 13. As shown, the deck 17 has a portion 23 extendingrearwardly beyond the path of the cutter blade, which portion supportsan operating handle 25 and two rear wheels 27. The wheels 29 at thefront are also supported in a conventional manner by the blade housing13 to support the lawn mower 11 above the ground.

10 illustrating still another 10 illustrating still another Arrangementscan be provided for raising and lowering the wheels 27 and 29 relativeto the housing 13 to vary the height of cut. Alternatively, the motor orengine (not shown) and cutter blade 21 can be vertically adjusted so asto vary the height of cut as disclosed generally in the allowed U.S.Pat. No. 3,611,864 issued on Oct. 12, 1971, and entitled Safety SidewallLawn Mower. Such construction would also serve, at the same time, tomaintain the lower peripheral edge 31 (FIG. 2) of the blade housing 13at a more or less constant spacing from, but nevertheless close to, theground so as to minimize the possibility of dangerous escape of solidparticles as disclosed generally in the before mentioned US. Pat. No.3,61 1,864 issued on Oct. 12, 1971.

In the disclosed construction, the deck 15 is provided with an opening41 (See FIG. 1) which may be closed by a cover 43 (See FIGS. 4 and 6) orwhich may be connected to a chute 45 (See FIGS. 7 and 9). The opening 41is located intermediate of a downwardly open and arcuately extendingchannel having front and rear sections 47 and 49 respectively. Thechannel is provided by respective front and rear top wall portions 53and 55, by an inner wall 57, and by respective front and rear outer wallportions 59 and 61 respectively, which merge into the otherwisegenerally continuous peripheral wall 19 of the housing 11. The frontchannel section 47 begins to rise from the top deck 15 at about 9:00 or10:00 o'clock (when viewed from above and when 12:00 oclock is locatedat the front center of the blade housing 13) and increases in heightabove the deck 15 to a position about 1:30 o'clock where the channel isinterrupted by the opening 41. At about 4:30 to about 5:30 oclock therear channel section 49 is formed and decreases in height until about6:(X) O'clock when the channel disappears into the otherwise generallyflat main deck portion 17. The innerwall 57 of the channel continuesbetween the front and rear channel sections 47 and 49, increasing inheight to a maximum at about 3:00 oclock and then decreasing in heightuntil commencement of the rear channel section 49.

The opening 41 is adapted to be closed by the cover 43 which is shown inFIGS. 4 and 6 and which has a tab or ear 64 which interfits under therear top wall portion 55 adjacent the forward part of the rear channelsection 49. At its forward end, the cover 43 merges with the forwardchannel section 47 and is removably connected thereto by a removablescrew 63. The cover, as shown in FIG. 5, includes a top wall 65 and anouter or side wall 67 with the top wall 65 following the contour of theupper edge of the inner channel wall 57 and with the sidewall 67extending downwardly to the continuous peripheral wall 19 extendingbelow the level of the top deck 17. In the area between approximately1:30 o'clock and 5:30 o'clock, the cover 43 completes the otherwiseinterrupted channel, which channel, when completed by the cover 43,increases in height to about 3:00 oclock and thereafter decreases.

Alternatively, a discharge chute 45, shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 can beconnected to the housing 13 in covering relation to and so as tocommunicate with the opening 41. As with the cover 43, the dischargechute 45 is fabricated so as to have a tab or ear 7] which interfitsunder the forward end of the top wall 55 of the rear channel section 49and has a forward portion which conforms to the margin of the rearwardend of the front channel section 47 and can be attached to the bladehousing 13 by a removable screw 73. In general, the chute is constructedso as to effectively close the opening while, at the same time,providing a generally tangentially rearwardly and upwardly inclineddelivery chute to which a bag or grass collector can be attached.

The chute 45 includes, as shown in FIG. 9, a lower wall 75 which extendsin an inclined fashion downwardly through the opening 41 and terminatesat about 3:00 o'clock in'the area immediately above the path of thecutter blade 21 so as to be in a position to guide air borne grassupwardly through the chute 45. As shown best in FIG. 8, the chutefurther includes a radially outwardly extending lip 77 located generallyin the plane of the top deck, i.e., adjacent to the plane of the topedge of the wall 19.

It should be noted that the portion of the inner wall 51 extendingbetween the front and rear channel sections 47 and 49 and above the topwalls 53 and 55 can alternatively be provided as parts of the cover 43and chute 45.

In accordance with the invention, the lawn mower 11 is provided withmeans for trapping objects thrown by the action of the cutter blade 21toward the inside of the peripheral wall 19. As will be disclosed ingreater detail, various arrangements can be employed to capture suchsolid articles, as for instance, stones twigs.

In order to facilitate capture or trapping of solid particles, such asstones and twigs, etc., when the housing is arranged in a chutelessarrangement, i.e., with the cover 43 attached, means in the form of oneor more solid particle capturing liners, pads, or members (See FIG. 1)can be retained in the housing 13 adjacent to the periphery of the pathof the cutter blade 21. In this regard, the housing 13 is constructedwith a protuberance 81 providing one or more recesses or pockets 83 toreceive one or more of the pads 85 in such fashion that one surface 86of such pads 85 forms a continuation of the otherwise smooth interiorcircular peripheral wall 19 of the blade housing 13 around the path ofthe tip of the cutter blade 21. The pads or members 85 are designed toafford capture and retention of solid particles, such as stones ortwigs, and are fabricated of foamed or cellular plastic material. As aconsequence, solid particles striking the pads 85 will penetrate andbecome imbeded in the pads. One such material from which such pads canbe constructed is foamed polyurethane.

The pad 85 can be fabricated in any shape. However, it is preferable toform the pad 85 so that the surface 86 is arcuate so that, when the padis in position within the housing 13, the surface 86 forms acontinuation of the otherwise smooth inner circular interior of theperipheral blade housing wall 19.

The pads 85 are preferably protected against the entry of grit ormoisture which could have the effect of decreasing the cellular natureof the pad by filling the cells, such that the pad becomes more like asolid material which would not have the desired capacity for penetrationand retention of solid particles. Accordingly, means are provided forpreventing entry into the pad 85 of dirt and moisture. While variousarrangements can be employed, in accordance with the invention, pad 85is provided with a rupterable or penetrable skin or film 91 whichexcludes moisture and grit from the pad 85. Such film 91 can be providedby spraying the cellular material with a film of nylon, or other likematerial. Alternatively, the pad 85 can be packaged in a bag of nylon,mylar, vinyl, or other like material. The material used for the skin 91should be rupterable or penetrable but, at the same time, should notreadily tear or shred.

In addition to preventing entry of dirt or moisture into the cells orpores of the pad 85, the film or skin 91 can also assist in retainingsolid particles within the pad. Particularly when the pads 85 arelocated in recesses in the wall of the housing, it is desirable that atleast the outer surface 86, constituting a continuation of the smoothcircular inner wall of the housing, be formed by the film or skin 91 asdescribed above.

In accordance with the invention, it is desirable to provide solidparticle trapping pads 85, particularly in the 1:30 to 5:00 oclock areawhich is believed to experience the largest number of solid particleimpacts. Accordingly, the lawn mower shown in FIGS. 1 through 9 of thedrawings includes in this area two upwardly and inwardly open recesses83 for snugly receiving the pads 85. As shown in FIG. 5, each pocket 83is provided with a bottom wall 95 and with sidewalls 97. Means areprovided to retain the pads 85 in proper position. While variousarrangements can be employed, in the disclosed construction, such meansis in the form of a lip 99 which extends along lower and side edges ofeach pocket 83 and which serves to retain the pad 85 in proper positionby preventing the pad from falling inwardly of the housing into the pathof the cutter blade. Preferably, as already mentioned, the surface 86 ofthe pad 85 which is exposed to the interior of the blade llll a;

housing has a partially cylindrical surface so as to conform to thecylindrical inner wall surface of the housing. In addition, this surfaceis preferably provided with a covering of the film or skin 91.

The cover 43 is also preferably provided with pads 85 along the outerwall 67. In this regard, as shown best in FIGS. 5 and 6, the outervertically extending wall 67 of the cover is provided with one or morerecesses or pockets 105, each having a top wall 107 and sidewalls 109.Means in the form of a lip 111 extending around the edges of the sideand top walls 107 and 109 is provided to retain the pads 85 in properposition. As in connection with the pads 85 received in the pockets 83,the pads 85 received in the pockets 105 are dimensioned such that a snugfit is provided, which fit facilitates retention of the pads 85 in thecover 43 during assembly of the cover 43 to the blade housing 13.

FIG. 6 shows two pockets 85 in the blade housing 13 and two pockets 105in the cover, which pockets are substantially of the same dimension soas to accommodate pads 85 of the same size and therefor afford economyof production, storage and utilization. As a consequence, the uppermostpart of the outer sidewall 67 of the cover 43 is not provided with asolid particle capturing pad. However, the invention is not so limitedand extends to covering the entire outer wall 67 of the cover 43,particularly in the area from about 1:30 to about 5:00 oclock.

The before mentioned lip 77 on the chute 45 extends in covering relationto the otherwise open top of the housing pockets 83. In a similarmanner, the open condition of the top of the housing pockets 83 isclosed by the cover 43.

One of the features of the invention resides in the ability to replacethe pads 85 as they become filled with solid particles or as theireffectiveness for capturing solid particles diminishes with use. Suchreplacement can be accomplished simply by manually withdrawing thepreviously inserted pad 85 and by inserting a new pad 85. It will beunderstood that in the illustrated construction, the cover 43 is removedto afford access to the pockets 95 and 105 for withdrawal andreplacement of the pads 85.

When the mower 11 is used with the chute 45, the pads 85 are preferablyretained in the housing pockets 95 in order to maintain a smoothcircular inner blade housing wail. However, because of the chute 45, theresultant mass flow through the chute 45 is such that the solid particlecapturing function of the pads in the housing is reduced. The chute 45is also shown without pads because the mass flow is primarily throughthe chute and not at such angle to the walls of the chute as couldreadily result in penetration and retention of solid particle materialby pads arranged along such walls.

The invention also extends to other arrangements or means within thehousing for trapping solid particles thrown by rotating action of thecutter blade. FIG. 15 shows in plan view and FIG. shown in cross sectiona lawn mower housing 121 having a top deck 123 and a dependingperipheral wall 125 similar to the wall 19. Also shown in FIGS. 10 andis another means on the inside of the housing for trapping objectsthrown by rotating action of the cutter blade. More particularly, suchmeans is shown best in FIG. 10 and comprises a liner or pad 127 formedby a body or portion 129 of polyurethane pliable foam which is cementedor otherwise united to a partial skin or covering 131 of vinyl which canbe approximately one thirty-seconds of an inch thick. In turn, the liner127, including the polyurethane portion 129 and the vinyl skin 131, arecemented or otherwise suitably attached to the blade housing 121 so thatthe surface 133 of the liner is located adjacent to the path of the tipof the cutter blade.

The liner 127 can extend substantially entirely around the innerperiphery of the wall 125 as shown generally in FIG. 15, whereby a moreor less continuous circular or cylindrical wall adjacent to the path ofthe tip of the cutter blade is provided. Alternatively, the liner can beattached in segments to the housing at appropriate locations as, forexample, between 1:30 oclock and about 5:00 oclock. When the linersegments are employed, it is preferred to form the blade housing 121with pockets to receive the segments so as to maintain a generallycontinuous and cylindrical inner wall adjacent to the path of the tip ofthe cutter blade. 7

Another embodiment of the means for trapping objects thrown by theaction of the cutter blade is shown in FIG. 11 wherein there isdisclosed a blade housing 141 having a top deck 143 and a depending wall145 such as the wall 125 shown in FIG. 15. Suitably attached to thehousing 141, as by rivets, or by any other suitably way, as for instancecement, is a liner comprising an inner part of polyurethane foam and acomplete casing of rupterable or penetrable vinyl material 153. Theliner 149 can be applied either more or less totally around the path ofthe cutter blade as shown in FIG. 15 or in one or more segments. As withrespect to the modification of FIG. 10, it is desirable to maintain agenerally continuous and cylindrical wall adjacent to the path of thetip of the cutter blade.

Shown in FIG. 12 is still other means for trapping solid particlesthrown by action of the cutter blade. The FIG. 12 embodiment includes ablade housing 161 having a top deck 163 and a peripheral wall 165similar to the arrangement shown in FIG. 15. Thetrapping means comprisesan extruded liner 167 of vinyl or other similar material which is formso as to cooperate with the blade housing 161 to provide one or morevoids, cavities or pockets 169 for collecting solid particles whichrupture and pass through the vinyl liner 167. Various arrangements canbe employed for attaching the liner 167 to the housing 161, as forinstance cement. In the construction disclosed in FIG. 12, there isdisclosed a clip 171 which is attached to the housing 161 by a screw 173and which has a lip 175 clamping a free end portion 177 of the liner 167so as to hold the liner in proper place.

As with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the liner 167 canextend substantially completely around the wall 165 or can extend insegments. However, it is desirable to maintain a generally continuousand cylindrical wall adjacent to the path of travel of the tip of thecutter blade.

FIG. 13 discloses still another embodiment of the invention which issimilar to FIG. 12. In FIG. 13 there is shown a blade housing 181 havinga top deck 183 and a peripheral wall 185 which is similar to that shownin FIG. 15, together with means for trapping solid objects in the formof an extruded vinyl liner 187 having an upper portion 189 which extendsvertically and has sufficient resiliency or flexibility so as to affordinward bending thereof when the height of the portion 189 is greaterthan necessary to reach the top deck 183. As a consequence, engagementof the liner 187 with the top deck 183 is maintained, notwithstandingvariation in height of the top deck 183 at various points around theperipheral wall 185. As shown in FIG. 13, the upper vertically extendingportion 189 cooperates with other portions of the liner 187 and with thehousing 181 to provide a series of voids or cavities 191 for collectingsolid articles which penetrate the vinyl liner 187. Also shown in FIG.13 is means for attaching the liner 187 to the housing 181 in the fonnof a clip 193 which is connected to the housing 181 by a screw 195 andwhich includes a pair of tabs 197 engaging associated free end portions199 of the vinyl liner 187 to detachably connect the liner 187 in properposition on the housing 181. The liner 187 can extend relative to thehousing and to the cutter blade as explained with respect to themodifications of FIGS. 10, 11 and 12.

FIG. 14 is still another embodiment of the invention which is the sameas the embodiment of FIG. 13, except that the liner 187 is modified atthe bottom to provide a surface 203 which extends radially outwardly anddownwardly in position to deflect striking solid articles toward theground as shown by the arrows 205 and thereby prevent exit of sucharticles from the housing 181 in such manner as to cause injury to theuser or bystanders. The liner 187 can extend relative to the housing andthe cutter blade as explained with respect to the modification of FIGS.10, 11 and 12.

In all of the liners of FIGS. 10 through 14, the vinyl material isrupterable or penetrable to permit penetration by articles thrown thereagainst by action of the cutter blade. In the embodiments of FIGS. 10and 11, such articles become imbeded in the cellular polyurethane,whereas in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, the particles are captured within thecavities or voids 169 and 191. lnall of the embodiments of FIGS. 10through 14, various arrangements can be employed to detachably connectthe liners to the peripheral wall of the housing and it is preferable tomaintain a generally continuous and cylindrical wall adjacent to thepath of the tip of the cutter blade.

The invention also contemplates a further arrangement for trapping solidparticles within a chuteless mower housing to prevent their dangerousexit from the housing by means of a trap door" arrangement at the rearof the housing.

More particularly, as shown in FIG. 16, the rear deck portion 23 ofeither the lawn mower of FIG. 1 or of the lawn mower of FIG. 15, extendsrearwardly, beyond the circular outline of the peripheral wall 19adjacent to the path of travel of the tip of the cutter blade 21. Inaccordance with the invention, the rearward portion of this rearwardcircular wall is provided with one or more openings or trap doors" whichcan extend completely, more or less, around the periphery of the path ofthe cutter blade. However, in the disclosed construction, the trap doorextends approximately from A to B in FIG. 1, i.e., approximately fromabout 5:00 to about 7:00 oclock. While various arrangements can beemployed to provide a trap door, in the arrangement disclosed in FIG.16, the peripheral wall 19 includes a portion 211 which is spaced fromthe housing deck 15 by an opening 213 which is normally closed by meansin the form of a rubber guard or shoe 217 which can be connected witherto the circular wall 19 or to the top deck 15. The guard 217 is arrangedso that it is biased into a position closing the opening 213 so as toretain the usually generally smooth circular inner wall adjacent thepath of the tip of the cutter blade. However, upon the striking of theguard 217 by a solid particle, such as a rock or twig, the guard 217will yield permitting the particle to travel rearwardly into the trap219 which is provided, in part, by a skirt or wall 221 extendingdownwardly from the rear portion 23 so as to extend below the top edgeof the wall portion 211 so as to intercept any solid particles passingthrough the opening 213. Thus, any exiting solid particle will eitherencounter the guard 219 and spend itself or will encounter the rear wall221 and be deflected toward the ground. As a consequence, solidparticles which are picked up and enter into the circulating mass withinthe blade housing 13 are permitted to escape in such manner so as toavoid danger or harm to the operator or bystanders.

The guard 217 can extend all or most of the way from either of the topdeck 15 or the wall portion 211 to the other of the top deck 15 and wallportion 211. In this regard, the guard 217 can be constructed of rubberor other resilient flexible material and with sufficient height toclose, or nearly close, the opening 213 regardless of variations inheight of the opening, due to the resilient flexibility of the guard217. In other words, whenever the length of the guard 217 is greaterthan the height of the opening 213, the flexibility of the guard 217will permit bending in the same manner, for instance, as that shown withrespect to portion 189 of the liner 187.

Various arrangements can be employed. In FIG. 16, the guard 217 issuitably attached, as by rivets 225, to the portion 211 of theperipheral wall and extends upwardly into a rearwardly curving portion227 leading to an area of engagement with a cooperating resilient springor member 229 which is suitably attached, as by a screw, by a rivet, bywelding, or otherwise, to the top deck 15 and which extends generallyrearwardly and is biased into engagement with the guard 217. The member229 includes a downwardly and inwardly inclined surface 231 fordeflecting objects rearwardly and downwardly, whereby striking objectsare deflected either toward the ground or toward the guard 217 forpassage into the trap 219.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 17 is constructed the same as theembodiment of FIG. 16, except that the height of the guard 217 isshortened so that the guard 217 terminates with a vertically extendingfree end 235 in adjacent relation to the member 229. As alreadyindicated, the guard 217 could ex tend from either the wall portion 211of the top deck 15 toward the other of the wall portion 211 and top deck15 and could be tailored to terminate adjacent to the top deck 15 or tooverlap the rear of the top edge of the wall portion 211. If desired,the trap door arrangement disclosed at the rear of the mower could beemployed anywhere along or completely around the periphery of the pathof the tip of the cutter blade.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

l. A lawn mower comprising a rotary cutting blade and a blade housingsupporting said cutting blade and including a top deck having a mainportion with an aperture located between about I230 and about 5:00o'clock and a rear portion extending rearwardly from said main portion,acircular inner wall depending from said housing main portion adjacent tothe path of said cutting blade, said inner wall having therein a pocketlocated between about 1:30 and about 5:00 o'clock and an opening locatedbetween about 5:00 and about 7:00 oclock, a pad of cellular materiallocated in said pocket and having a surface conforming to the circularformation of said inner wall and comprising a skin of impervious plasticmaterial, a cover releasable connected to said housing in coveringrelation to said aperture, said cover including an upright wall having arecess extending in the area between about l:30 and about 5:00 oclock,another pad of cellular material received in said recess and having askin of impervious plastic material, a skirt extending downwardly fromsaid rear deck portion in generally opposed relation to said inner walland below the lower edge of said opening, a resilient member fixed tosaid inner wall adjacent to the lower edge of said opening, and a secondmember connected to said top deck and normally in engaged relation tosaid resilient member fixed to said inner wall so as to thereby closesaid opening.

2. A lawn mower comprising a rotary cutting blade, a blade housingsupporting said cutting blade and including a top deck and a circularwall adjacent to the path of said cutting blade, and a liner of cellularmaterial located within said housing adjacent to the path of saidcutting blade for trapping objects thrown by rotating action of thecutting blade.

3. A lawn mower in accordance with claim 2 wherein said liner is locatedbetween about 1:30 and about 5:00 o'clock.

4. A lawn mower in accordance with claim 2 wherein said liner has a skinof impervious material.

5. A lawn mower comprising a rotary cutting blade, a blade housingsupporting said cutting blade and including a top deck and a circularwall adjacent to the path of said cutting blade, a pocket formed in saidwall and a pad of cellular material located within said pocket fortrapping objects thrown by rotating action of the cutting blade.

6. A lawn mower in accordance with claim 5 wherein said top deckincludes therein an opening located between about 1:30 and about 5:00o'clock, whereby to afford access to said pad.

7. A lawn mower in accordance with claim 5 wherein said pad has asurface conforming generally to the circular formation of said wall,said surface comprising a skin of impervious material.

8. A lawn mower in accordance with claim 5 wherein said pocket has lowerand sidewalls, is open at the top, and has lips along the inner edges ofsaid lower and sidewalls, and said pad is dimensioned to be snuglyreceived in said pocket.

9. A lawn mower comprising a rotary cutting blade, a blade housingsupporting said cutting blade and including a top deck and a circularwall adjacent to the path of said cutting blade, and a liner extendingat least partially around the inner surface of said wall and cooperatingwith said wall to define at least 5 one void for receipt of solidarticles puncturing said liner in response to striking thereofconsequent to being thrown by rotating action of said cutting blade.

10. A lawn mower in accordance with claim 9 wherein said liner has aflexible upper portion adapted to engage said top deck.

11. A lawn mower in accordance with claim 9 wherein said liner has abottom surface extending radially outwardly and downwardly, whereby todeflect objects downwardly.

12. A lawn mower comprising a rotary cutting blade and a blade housingsupporting said cutting blade and including an upper deck having arearwardly extending deck portion, a circular wall depending from saiddeck adjacent to the path of said cutting blade and forwardly of saiddeck portion, said wall having therein an opening located between about:00 and about 7:00 oclock, and a skirt extending downwardly from saiddeck portion in generally opposed relation to said wall, and meansyieldably closing said opening and including a surface generallyconforming to the circular formation of said wall.

13. A lawn mower comprising a rotary cutting blade, a blade housingsupporting said cutting blade and including a top deck having therein anopening located between about 1:30 and about 5:00 o'clock, said housingalso including a circular wall adjacent to the path of said cuttingblade and having therein a pocket with an open top, a pad of cellularmaterial located within said pocket for trapping objects thrown byrotating action of the cutting blade and a chute releasably connected tosaid housing in covering relation to and in communication with saidopening and including a lip covering said open top of said pocket.

14. A lawn mower comprising a rotary cutting blade, a blade housingsupporting said cutting blade and including a top deck having therein anopening located between about 1:30 and about 5:00 oclock and a circularwall adjacent to the path of said cutting blade, means on the inside ofsaid housing for trapping objects thrown by rotating action of thecutting blade, and a cover releasably connected to said housing incovering relation to said opening, said cover including an upright wallextending in the area between about I230 and about 5:00 oclock and meanson said upright wall for trapping objects thrown against said coverwall.

15. A lawn mower comprising a rotary cutting blade, a blade housingsupporting said cutting blade and including a top deck having therein anopening located between about 1:30 and about 5:00 oclock, said housingalso including a circular wall adjacent to the path of said cuttingblade and having therein a pocket with an open top, a pad of cellularmaterial located within said pocket for trapping objects thrown byrotating action of the cutting blade, a member releasably connected tosaid housing in covering relation to said opening and to said open top,said member including an upright wall extending in the area betweenabout 1:30 and about 5:00 o'- clock, and means on said upright wall fortrapping objects thrown against said cover wall.

16. A lawn mower in accordance with claim 14 wherein said means on saidupright cover wall for trapping objects includes a pocket formed in saidupright wall and further includes a pad of cellular material locatedwithin said pocket in said upright wall.

17. A lawn mower in accordance with claim 16 wherein said pad located insaid pocket in said upright wall has a skin of impervious plasticmaterial.

18. A lawn mower in accordance with claim 16 wherein said pocket in saidmember has upper and sidewalls, is open at the bottom, and has lipsalong the inner edges of said upper and side walls, and said pad in saidpocket in said upright wall is dimensioned to be snugly received in saidpocket in said member.

19. A lawn mower comprising a rotary cutting blade and a blade housingsupporting said cutting blade and including an upper deck, a generallycircular wall portion extending adjacent to the path of said cuttingblade, said wall portion being spaced from and connected to said upperdeck, to define an opening between said wall portion an said upper deck,and a skirt extending downwardly from said upper deck in generallyopposed and in radially outward relation to said wall portion, and meansyieldably closing said opening.

20. A mower in accordance with claim 19 wherein said means yieldablyclosing said opening includes a resilient guard fixed to one of saidwall portion and said upper deck.

21. A mower in accordance with claim 20 wherein said means yieldablyclosing said opening also includes a member connected to the other ofsaid wall portion and said upper deck and normally in engaged relationto said guard so as to thereby close said opening.

22. A mower in accordance with claim 19 wherein said skirt extendsdownwardly beyond the lower edge of said opening.

1. A lawn mower comprising a rotary cutting blade and a blade housingsupporting said cutting blade and including a top deck having a mainportion with an aperture located between about 1:30 and about 5:00o''clock and a rear portion extending rearwardly from said main portion,a circular inner wall depending from said housing main portion adjacentto the path of said cutting blade, said inner wall having therein apocket located between about 1: 30 and about 5:00 o''clock and anopening located between about 5: 00 and about 7:00 o''clock, a pad ofcellular material located in said pocket and having a surface conformingto the circular formation of said inner wall and comprising a skin ofimpervious plastic material, a cover releasable connected to saidhousing in covering relation to said aperture, said cover including anupright wall having a recess extending in the area between about 1:30and about 5:00 o''clock, another pad of cellular material received insaid recess and having a skin of impervious plastic material, a skirtextending downwardly from said rear deck portion in generally opposedrelation to said inner wall and below the lower edge of said opening, aresilient member fixed to said inner wall adjacent to the lower edge ofsaid opening, and a second member connected to said top deck andnormally in engaged relation to said resilient member fixed to saidinner wall so as to thereby close said opening.
 2. A lawn mowercomprising a rotary cutting blade, a blade housing supporting saidcutting blade and including a top deck and a circular wall adjacent tothe path of said cutting blade, and a liner of cellular material locatedwithin said housing adjacent to the path of said cutting blade fortrapping objects thrown by rotating action of the cutting blade.
 3. Alawn mower in accordance with claim 2 wherein said liner is locatedbetween about 1:30 and about 5:00 o''clock.
 4. A lawn mower inaccordance with claim 2 wherein said liner has a skin of imperviousmaterial.
 5. A lawn mower comprising a rotary cutting blade, a bladehousing supporting said cutting blade and including a top deck and acircular wall adjacent to the path of said cutting blade, a pocketformed in said wall and a pad of cellular material located within saidpocket for trapping objects thrown by rotating action of the cuttingblade.
 6. A lawn mower in accordance with claim 5 wherein said top deckincludes therein an opening located between about 1:30 and about 5:00o''clock, whereby to afford access to said pad.
 7. A lawn mower inaccordance with claim 5 wherein said pad has a surface conforminggenerally to the circular formation of said wall, said surfacecomprising a skin of impervious material.
 8. A lawn mower in accordancewith claim 5 wherein said pocket has lower and sidewalls, is open at thetop, and has lips along the inner edges of said lower and sidewalls, andsaid pad is dimensioned to be snugly received in said pocket.
 9. A lawnmower comprising a rotary cutting blade, a blade housing supporting saidcutting blade and including a top deck and a circular wall adjacent tothe path of said cutting blade, and a liner extending at least partiallyaround the inner surface of said wall and cooperating with said wall todefine at least one void for receipt of solid articles puncturing saidliner in response to striking thereof consequent to being thrown byrotating action of said cutting blade.
 10. A lawn mower in accordancewith claim 9 wherein said liner has a flexible upper portion adapted toengage said top deck.
 11. A lawn mower in accordance with claim 9wherein said liner has a bottom surface extending radially outwardly anddownwardly, whereby to deflect objects downwardly.
 12. A lawn mowercomprising a rotary cutting blade and a blade housing supporting saidcutting blade and including an upper deck having a rearwardly extendingdeck portion, a circular wall depending from said deck adjacent to thepath of said cutting blade and forwardly of said deck portion, said wallhaving therein an opening located between about 5:00 and about 7:00o''clock, and a skirt extending downwardly from said deck portion ingenerally opposed relation to said wall, and means yieldably closingsaid opening and including a surface generally conforming to thecircular formation of said wall.
 13. A lawn mower comprising a rotarycutting blade, a blade housing supporting said cutting blade andincluding a top deck having therein an opening located between about1:30 and about 5: 00 o''clock, said housing also including a circularwall adjacent to the path of said cutting blade and having therein apocket with an open top, a pad of cellular material located within saidpocket for trapping objects thrown by rotating action of the cuttingblade and a chute releasably connected to said housing in coveringrelation to and in communication with said opening and including a lipcovering said open top of said pocket.
 14. A lawn mower comprising arotary cutting blade, a blade housing supporting said cutting blade andincluding a top deck having therein an opening located between about1:30 and about 5: 00 o''clock and a circular wall adjacent to the pathof said cutting blade, means on the inside of said housing for trappingobjects thrown by rotating action of the cutting blade, and a coverreleasably connected to said housing in covering relation to saidopening, said cover including an upright wall extending in the areabetween about 1:30 and about 5:00 o''clock and means on said uprightwall for trapping objects thrown against said cover wall.
 15. A lawnmower comprising a rotary cutting blade, a blade housing supporting saidcutting blade and including a top deck having therein an opening locatedbetween about 1:30 and about 5: 00 o''clock, said housing also includinga circular wall adjacent to the path of said cutting blade and havingtherein a pocket with an open top, a pad of cellular material locatedwithin said pocket for trapping objects thrown by rotating action of thecutting blade, a member releasably connected to said housing in coveringrelation to said opening and to said open top, said member including anupright wall extending in the area between about 1:30 and about 5:00o''clock, and means on said upright wall for trapping objects thrownagainst said cover wall.
 16. A lawn mower in accordance with claim 14wherein said means on said upright cover wall for trapping objectsincludes a pocket formed in said upright wall and further includes a padof cellular material located within said pocket in said upright wall.17. A lawn mower in accordance with claim 16 wherein said pad located insaid pocket in said upright wall has a skin of impervious plasticmaterial.
 18. A lawn mower in accordance with claim 16 wherein saidpocket in said member has upper and sidewalls, is open at the bottom,and has lips along the inner edges of said upper and side walls, andsaid pad in said pocket in said upright wall is dimensioned to be snuglyreceived in said pocket in said member.
 19. A lawn mower comprising arotary cutting blade and a blade housing supporting said cutting bladeand including an upper deck, a generally circular wall portion extendingadjacent to the path of said cutting blade, said wall portion beingspaced from and connected to said upper deck, to define an openingbetween said wall portion and said upper deck, and a skirt extendingdownwardly from said upper deck in generally opposed and in radiallyoutward relation to said wall portion, and means yieldably closing saidopening.
 20. A mower in accordance with claim 19 wherein said meansyieldably closing said opening includes a resilient guard fixed to oneof saId wall portion and said upper deck.
 21. A mower in accordance withclaim 20 wherein said means yieldably closing said opening also includesa member connected to the other of said wall portion and said upper deckand normally in engaged relation to said guard so as to thereby closesaid opening.
 22. A mower in accordance with claim 19 wherein said skirtextends downwardly beyond the lower edge of said opening.